Meeting to determine return of New Zealand police to PNG's Bougainville province

Officials are meeting on the Papua New Guinea Island of Bougainville this afternoon to determine if it's safe for the New Zealand police contingent to return to the province.

Five community police officers were flown to Port Moresby a week ago after rumours that a Meekamui leader wanted to kill a foreign policeman on the island.

The New Zealand High Commissioner, Laurie Markes, and the head of the New Zealand police team, Inspector Bazz Bailey, will discuss security issues with the head of police in the province, Joseph Bemu and the provincial administrator, Peter Tsiamalili.

Mr Markes is expected to make a recommendation on the matter to the New Zealand Police Commissioner Rob Robinson after the meeting.